MLB Player News

Hand tossed a pair of scoreless and hitless innings Friday against the Braves, striking out three.

He was a little wild in this one, walking two batters and hitting another, but it was a stark improvement over his six-run disaster the last time he took the mound. Hand started 12 games for the Marlins last season, but with some added depth in the rotation and maturing youth coming up through the system, he's destined for a bullpen role. Despite a mediocre showing so far in Grapefruit League action, the veteran lefty is a strong bet to break camp with the club.

Castro has four strikeouts and only one hit allowed in three innings this spring.

The 21-year-old is competing for a bullpen spot with Colorado, and he's certainly making a strong case to get one of the last spots. He pitched a bit in the majors last season, but saw little success as he posted a 6.11 ERA in 17.2 innings between the Rockies and Blue Jays. There is a chance that he can crack the 25-man roster if he continues to pitch well, but he could also head back to the minors if the Rockies choose to have him face more advanced hitters prior to being a full-time member of the major league club.

The Phillies optioned Cordero (biceps) to Double-A Reading on Friday, the team's official site reports.

Cordero returned to action Friday after missing all of camp with a sore right biceps. He allowed two hits and one run in two-thirds of an inning. We could see him up with the Phillies later this season.

Edwards was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Friday.

A three-run blowup against Kansas City on Wednesday sealed Edwards' fate, but he may be among the top candidates for a promotion during the season, if he can keep the walks in check at Iowa. Edwards posted a 2.77 ERA between Double-A and Triple-A to earn a September callup last year in his first season as a reliever, but he issued nearly seven walks per nine.

Johnson was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Friday.

The Cubs pared their camp roster down to 45 players Friday but optioning and reassigning 11 players, including Johnson. The young right-hander was shelled for three home runs in just 4.0 innings of work this spring and will work on his craft down at minor league camp until the regular season gets underway.

Hernandez pitched a scoreless inning in a minor league game Friday, the Wilmington News Journal reports.

Hernandez struck out two and sat between 92-94 mph with his fastball. It was originally reported that he would pitch in a Grapefruit League game Saturday, but those plans have apparently changed. He said after Friday's appearance that there is no discomfort in his triceps when pitching, but he does have a little stiffness when cooling down. He seems to be on track in his recovery from triceps tendinitis.

Ottavino (elbow) will throw 15 pitches off a mound Friday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

He will open the 2016 season on the 60-day DL after undergoing Tommy John surgery last May. So far, there have been no reported setbacks Ottavino's recovery, and the Rockies will hope that continues as he ramps up his throwing activity. Jake McGee, Jason Motte, and Chad Qualls were brought in this offseason to bolster the back-end of the Colorado bullpen.

The Reds optioned Stephenson down to Triple-A Louisville on Friday.

Stephenson was one of eight players sent down Friday. The Reds don't think that Stephenson is quite ready, and as a rebuilding franchise there's little reason to rush him. He will likely get called up later in the season.

Rutckyj was re-acquired by the Yankees on Friday.

After being selected by the Braves in December's Rule 5 draft, Rutckyj will return to the Yankees organization. The lefty has been assigned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Sims was assigned to minor league camp Friday, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Sims held his own at Double-A last season, and that's where he could end up beginning 2016 after posting a 3.40 ERA and 1.22 WHIP in nine 2015 starts.